Form factor for portable device

ABSTRACT

A form factor for a portable device is disclosed. A first face of the portable device may house a display screen and three linear input devices (e.g., touch-sensitive strips), one on each of three sides of the display screen, for providing user input. On a second, opposite face of the portable device, is a planar input device (e.g., a touchpad) for providing user input. There may also be a microphone and speaker on the second face of the portable device, with the speaker placed behind the planar input device. Sound output by the speaker passes through holes in the planar input device. In one embodiment, the planar input device is used for scrolling content displayed on the display screen, one of the linear input devices is used for zooming in and out, and the other two linear input devices are used for identifying a location on the display screen. In another embodiment, the planar input device is used to identify a location on the display screen, and two of the linear input devices are used for scrolling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to portable electronic devices.More specifically, the invention includes a form factor for a portabledevice that is optimized for viewing and navigating displayed content ona display screen of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A common disadvantage of conventional portable devices, such asmobile telephones and personal digital assistants (PDA), is that theyoften include small display screens. Small display screens make itdifficult for users to view and navigate large data files. For instance,when viewing a web page on a PDA with a small display screen, the usercan only view a very limited portion of the web page at a time. The usertypically must repeatedly scroll vertically and horizontally to view theentire page.

[0003] In addition, known devices use cumbersome navigational and inputmechanisms. For instance, on a typical PDA, a user must use a stylus totouch a small scroll bar displayed on the already small touch-sensitivedisplay screen in order to navigate a document. Interacting with thesmall scroll bar requires very fine motor skills and is often difficultfor many users. Some of these devices (e.g., Palm) provide a softkeyboard that allows a user to enter data by tapping on tiny keys on akeyboard representation on the display.

[0004] Known mobile telephones have similar disadvantages. The user musttypically use buttons that act as horizontal and/or vertical scrollbuttons. However, the use of buttons for scrolling does not allow a userto accurately select a position in a document except at finiteintervals. While this may be acceptable when navigating documents withpreexisting finite scroll intervals (such as lines in a text document),this is not acceptable when navigating a document that does not containfinite scroll intervals (e.g., a map).

[0005] Another common disadvantage with mobile telephones is that thespeaker takes up some of the limited amount of external space availableon the device. If the speaker is placed on the front of the device withthe display screen, then the display screen is smaller than it otherwisecould be without the speaker on the same face of the device. If thespeaker is placed on the back of the device, then the back of the devicehas less room for other any input device that is also placed on the backof the device. One known solution to these problems is to add anexternal device that includes the speaker. For example, Handspring® PDAsallow a user to attach an external mobile telephone Springboard® module(VisorPhone®) that includes the speaker through which sound is played.However, this solution requires the addition of new hardware (i.e., theSpringboard module) to the underlying PDA.

[0006] Thus, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a portabledevice that is optimized for viewing data on its display screen,allowing a user to view a larger portion of a data file than previoussolutions while maintaining a small form factor and user-friendly inputand navigational mechanisms. It would be a further advancement in theart to provide a portable device in which the speaker does not consumeexternal space beyond that of other input and output devices on theportable device, without requiring the addition of new hardware.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The inventive system overcomes the problems of the prior art byproviding a form factor for a portable device that maximizes a size of adisplay screen, allowing users to view larger portions of a data filedisplayed on a display screen. The form factor provides a display screenthat utilizes a substantial portion of a front face of the portabledevice. The display screen may be surrounded by three touch sensitivecontrol strips, each on a different side of the display screen. One ofthe control strips may be used for movement of a vertical crosshairelement, another for movement of a horizontal crosshair element, and thethird for zooming in or out of the presently displayed document,optionally centered at the intersection of the crosshair elements.

[0008] The back face of the device may be configured with a touchpadcovering a substantial portion of the back face. The touchpad may beused for navigating the presently displayed document by touching afinger to the touchpad and “dragging” the image displayed on the displayscreen. The back face may also include a microphone for audio input intothe device, and a speaker for playing audio output from the device. Thespeaker may be placed behind the touchpad by including holes in thetouchpad through which the speaker sound may be heard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention is described with respect to theaccompanying figures, in which like reference numerals identify likeelements, and in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a front face of a device according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a back face of a device according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a touchpad over an A-coveraccording to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a device displaying a soft keyboard accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 illustrates a device displaying mobile telephone softbuttons according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a device according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 illustrates a device according to an embodiment of theinvention.

[0017]FIG. 8 illustrates a front face of a device according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 illustrates a back face of a device according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 10 illustrates a front face of a device according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention providesa form factor for a portable device 101, which may be a mobiletelephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computer device,browsing device, electronic book reader, or any combination thereof.Portable device 101 may include a display screen 103 and linear inputdevices 105, 107, and 109. Each linear input device may be atouch-sensitive membrane, a linear roller, a mechanical slider, opticalsensor, or any other linear input device that can determine a linearposition of input. For purposes of illustration only, portable device101 is described with linear input devices 105, 107, and 109 being touchsensitive strips.

[0021] Each linear input device may be located on differing sides ofdisplay screen 103, with a fourth side remaining vacant. Linear inputdevice 105 may be located on a left side of display screen 103, linearinput device 107 may be located below display screen 103, and linearinput device 109 may be located on a right side of display screen 103.In one embodiment, linear input devices 105 and 107 may be substantiallyperpendicular to each other, and linear input devices 107 and 109 may besubstantially perpendicular to each other. However, other configurationsare also possible. Optionally, in order to provide tactile feedback to auser as the user manipulates each input device and/or selects displayedsoft buttons (described below), each linear input device may be mountedon dome switches.

[0022] For purposes of illustration only, portable device 101 is shownand described in a horizontal orientation. However, portable device 101may be configured for use in either a horizontal or verticalorientation, depending on an application program in use, data displayedon display screen 103, user preferences, etc.

[0023] A first linear input device, for example linear input device 105,may be used for zooming in and out of content displayed on displayscreen 103. As a user moves her hand in one direction along linear inputdevice 105, the portable device may zoom in, or enlarge, contentdisplayed on the display screen 103. As the user moves her hand in theother direction along linear input device 105, the portable device mayzoom out, or reduce, content displayed on the display screen 103.Optionally, the direction of input for zooming in/out of content may beuser-configurable via a preferences screen (not shown) displayable onportable device 101, such that either direction may be used for zoomingin/out. Alternatively, the direction of input for zooming in/out may befactory preset. In addition to sliding her finger along linear inputdevice 105, the user may simply touch linear input device 105 at anarbitrary position to quickly zoom in or out to a zoom levelcorresponding to the touched position.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the two linear input devices107 and 109 may be used for manipulating crosshairs to identify alocation within an image displayed on display screen 103. That is,linear input device 107 may be used to manipulate a vertical crosshairfor identifying a horizontal position on the display screen, and linearinput device 109 may be used to manipulate a horizontal crosshair foridentifying a vertical position on the display screen. The combinationof the horizontal and vertical crosshairs may identify a point on thedisplay screen. For example, when a user touches linear input device 107at location 112, vertical line 113 may be displayed to identify thecorresponding horizontal position on display screen 103. Similarly, whenthe user touches linear input device 109 at location 110, horizontalline 111 may be displayed to identify the corresponding verticalposition on display screen 103. Vertical line 113 and horizontal line111 together form crosshairs that identify a point at intersection 115on display screen 103. In alternative embodiments, lines might not bedisplayed on display screen 103 when a user identifies a horizontaland/or vertical position, or the crosshairs might not extend the lengthand/or width of the display screen.

[0025] With further reference to FIG. 2, portable device 101 may alsoinclude a planar input device 203 located on the opposite face of theportable device as display screen 103. This could include any inputdevice that can receive two-dimensional input, regardless of whether theinput device is actually a flat plane. For instance, a planar inputdevice may be mounted in a curved or spherical position, yet stillreceive two-dimensional input. Planar input device 203 may be a touchpadthat senses a location of input based on a user touching it and/ormoving a finger (or stylus) on it. Other known planar input devices mayalso be used. For purposes of illustration only, portable device 101 isdescribed with planar input device 203 being a touchpad.

[0026] In the embodiment of the invention where linear input devices 107and 109 are used for identifying a horizontal line, a vertical line,and/or a point on display screen 103, touchpad 203 may be used fornavigation of an image (e.g., a map, picture, text document, web page,etc.) displayed on display screen 103. That is, as a user touchestouchpad 203, the portable device may be configured to respond as if theuser is “gripping” the presently displayed image, and horizontally andvertically scrolls the image corresponding to the user's horizontal andvertical movement on touchpad 203, similar to known click and dragtechniques used with computer mice and conventional computer systems. Anexample of such a technique is the Hand Tool in Adobe Acrobat® Reader,available from Adobe Systems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif.Essentially, the user “touches” the displayed image from behind andmoves it with a finger.

[0027] Planar input device 203 may also be used for alternative forms ofinput, depending on the current application in use. For example, when animagery application is being used, planar input device 203 may be usedby a user to “draw” on display screen 103. Input received via planarinput device 203 may be displayed in mirror image on display screen 103so that it appears as if the user is touching planar input device 203 ata position directly behind display screen 103. For example, intersection115 on display screen 103 may correspond to input received at point 215on planar input device 203. As should be apparent to one of skill in theart, portable device 101 may be configured to receive straight inputfrom planar input device 203 without using a mirror image algorithm, andportable device 101 may use input received from planar input device 203for any purposes and in any manner known in the art.

[0028] Portable device 101 may also include a speaker 205 and microphone207 for receiving and generating audio signals, such as for use withmobile telephone capabilities. Speaker 205 may be located insideportable device 101 behind planar input device 203, and the audio outputmay be emitted through one or more holes 209 in planar input device 203.Preferably, planar input device 203 is rigid enough such that thediameter of holes 209 at their narrowest point and the thickness ofplanar input device 203 do not change as sound waves are emitted fromspeaker 205. If the dimensions of the holes or thickness of the planarinput device change, the sound may be distorted. Planar input device 203may be an optical HALIOS sensor touchpad system, an EMFi sensortouchpad, a capacitive touchpad, or any other known touchpad in whichholes can be pierced. The HALIOS sensor and Ethertouch capacitancetouchpads fulfill these requirements, as there are no separatetouch-sensitive layers on the back cover of the device with which soundwould interfere. When a HALIOS touchpad is used, sensors may be placedat the edges of the back cover. When an Ethertouch capacitive touchpadis used, the sensors may be placed under the back cover. HALIOStouchpads are available from Mechaless Systems of Karlsruhe, Germany,and EMFi touchpads are available from Emfitech Ltd., of Vaajakoski,Finland. Capacitive touchpads are generally known in the art, and areavailable from at least Ethertouch of Labuan, Malaysia, and Synaptics,Inc. of San Jose, Calif.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 3 (not to scale), other touchpads known inthe art, such as mechanically soft touchpads, may also be used. Amechanically soft touchpad 301 may be placed over the back cover 303 ofa portable device. The back cover 303 may have rigid holes 305 and thesoft touchpad layer on top of it has slightly larger holes 307. In thismanner, the narrowest point of the holes through which sound passes ison the back cover, eliminating any distortion the sound may cause to thetouchpad. Thus, any touchpad that allows holes pierced in it can be usedwith the invention.

[0030] In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 4, linear input devices107 and 109 may be used to identify a location of one of a plurality ofsoft buttons displayed on display screen 103. Soft buttons are generallyknown in the art and may be defined as a display element displayed on adisplay screen that, when selected, provides corresponding predefinedinput to a portable device. The inventive portable device may be used toselect soft buttons using one or more of linear input devices 105, 107,and 109, and planar input device 203. The input may be predefined by anapplication program, configured by a user, or the like. For example,FIG. 4 illustrates a portable device 101 configured to display aplurality of soft buttons that represent a soft keyboard 407 throughwhich a user may provide alphanumeric input. Soft keyboards are alsogenerally known in the art, e.g., as used with PALM® personal digitalassistants. Soft keyboard 407 may include alphanumeric keys A-Z and 0-9,SPACE, and ENTER. It should be apparent to one of skill in the art thatother soft buttons may also or alternatively be included, such asspecial characters, symbols, letters, flnction keys, alternative controlkeys (e.g., CTRL, ALT), formatting keys (e.g., INS, DEL), and any otherkeys with corresponding input, including any key located on knowncomputer keyboards, macro keys, and the like.

[0031] In one embodiment, a user may select a soft button by touchingits corresponding horizontal and vertical positions using linear inputdevices 107 and 109, respectively. For example, a user may select theletter ‘S’ by touching linear input device 107 at position 401, andtouching linear input device 109 at position 403. As a result, theletter ‘S’ may be input and displayed in input box 405. When the userhas completed her input, the user may submit the input by selecting theDONE soft button.

[0032] In another embodiment, additional confirmation is used to inputthe selected soft button. For instance, a user may select the ‘S’ softbutton using linear input devices 107 and 109. In response, portabledevice 101 may highlight the ‘S’ soft button or otherwise indicate the‘S’ soft button is selected. The user, having received confirmation thatthe letter ‘S’ is selected, may then confirm the input by tapping on theplanar input device 203. Upon receiving the confirmation, the letter ‘S’is input and may be displayed in input box 405. It should be appreciatedby one of skill in the art that other forms of confirmation mayalternatively be used. For example, when one or more linear inputdevices are mounted on a raised mound, the confirmation may consist ofthe user pressing the linear input device such that the raised moundyields, or “pops,” inward. In another embodiment, the soft button mightnot be selected until the user taps one of the two linear input devices.Using confirmation input provides tactile feedback to the user that shehas successfully selected a soft button, and also allows the user toconfirm that the correct soft button will be selected before committingto the input decision.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 5, as previously discussed above, portabledevice 101 may comprise a mobile telephone. FIG. 5 illustrates softbuttons 501 for providing common mobile telephone functions. That is,linear input devices 105, 107, and 109 may be used by a user to input atelephone number 507 in virtual display window 503. Virtual displaywindow 503 may be any portion of display screen 103 that is used inplace of a conventional mobile telephone display. Telephone number 507may be input by a user as discussed above. In one embodiment of theinvention, when a mobile telephone call is in progress, planar inputdevice 203 (not shown) is deactivated because the user may accidentallytouch planar input device with her cheek while listening to speaker 205and speaking into microphone 207.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5, one or moresoft buttons may require only the use of a single linear input device.That is, soft buttons 509-517 may be selected by activating linear inputdevice 107 at a corresponding position. For example, a user may selectthe SEND button by pressing linear input device 107 at location 505,without requiring any input from either linear input device 105 orlinear input device 109. In this manner, important phone functions maybe performed with a single hand. It should be obvious to one of skill inthe art, however, that portable device 101 may be configured in endlessvariations for providing input using any variety and combination of softbuttons.

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of portable device 101according to an embodiment of the invention. In addition to linear inputdevices 105, 107, and 109, planar input device 203, speaker 205, andmicrophone 207, portable device 101 may include a processor 603, memory605, display circuit 607, zoom circuit 609, crosshair circuit 611, pancircuit 613, audio circuit 615, and transceiver 617. Memory 605 mayconsist of RAM, ROM, a hard disk, or any other computer readable mediumor combination thereof, and may be used for storing operating systeminformation, application software, control logic, and the like. Displaycircuit 607 may be connected to processor 603, and may perform updatesto an image on the display screen (not shown) based on input receivedfrom zoom circuit 609, crosshair circuit 611, and pan circuit 613. Zoomcircuit 609 may receive input from linear input device 105. Crosshaircircuit 611 may receive input from linear input device 107 and 109. Pancircuit may receive input from planar input device 203. Audio circuitmay be used to generate and receive audio signals to and from speaker205 and microphone 207, respectively. Audio circuit 615 may further beconnected to processor 603 and/or transceiver 617, when mobile device101 includes wireless communications capabilities.

[0036]FIG. 6 is merely an illustrative example of a portable device thatmay be used. Other configurations may alternatively be used, withadditional and/or fewer elements (e.g., with an integrated inputcircuit, etc.). Each circuit may be performed by hardware, software, ora combination of the two, and may reside in separate or combinedcomponents or modules. In addition, some elements may be optional. Forexample, speaker 205, microphone 207, audio circuit 615, and transceiver617 might not be used in an embodiment of the invention comprising anelectronic book reader.

[0037] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art thatadditional modifications may be made to portable device 101 that fallwithin the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, linear inputdevices 107 and 109 may be connected to pan circuit 613 and controlpanning of an image on the display screen, while planar input device 203may be connected to crosshair circuit 611 and control manipulation ofthe crosshairs. In addition, configurations may be alterable by a useror an application program based on an orientation of the portable device(horizontal versus vertical), the dominant hand of the user (e.g., forright versus left-handed users), user preferences, and the like. Forexample, a user may prefer to use linear input device 109 for zoomingand linear input devices 105 and 107 for crosshair manipulation. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that countless variations are possiblewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, linear input devices 105,107, and 109 may be placed on sides other than the same side as displayscreen 103, such as is illustrated in FIG. 7. It should also be apparentto one of skill in the art that any embodiment of portable device 101may be adapted with other common elements, such as conventional hardbuttons 803, 805, audio output port 807, infrared port 809, poweradapter input 811, data communication port 813 (e.g., USB, proprietaryformat, etc.), and the like, as is known in the art.

[0039] In another alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG.8 and FIG. 9, portable device 101 may include a single linear inputdevice 105 for zooming content, and two planar input devices 1001, 1003.One of the planar input devices performs panning (i.e., scrolling) animage on the display screen, and the other planar input device performspointing (i.e., manipulation of the crosshairs).

[0040] In still another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 10,one or more linear input devices may comprise regions of atouch-sensitive planar input device. Portable device 101 may comprise adisplay screen 103 (FIG. 1), over which is a transparent planartouch-sensitive input device 1001, often referred to in combination as atouchscreen. However, by enlarging planar input device 1001 to extendbeyond the displayable area of display screen 103, regions 1005, 1007,1009 of the planar touch-sensitive input device that extend beyond thedisplay screen's displayable area may form the linear input devices.Portable device 101 may include control logic (e.g., in one or more ofzoom circuit 609, crosshair circuit 611, and pan circuit 613) forsensing linear input in an elongated direction in each region 1005,1007, and 1009 so that region 1005, 1007, and 1009 correspond to linearinput device 105, 107, and 109 (not shown), respectively. Region 1003may be used in combination with display screen 103 to perform as atouchscreen on portable device 101.

[0041] While the invention has been described with respect to specificexamples including presently preferred modes of carrying out theinvention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there arenumerous variations and permutations of the above-described systems andtechniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

I/We claim:
 1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a displayscreen on a front face of the portable device, a first linear inputdevice affixed along a first side of the display screen; a second linearinput device affixed along a second side of the display screen; a thirdlinear input device affixed along a third side of the display screen; aplanar input device on a back face of the portable device; and controllogic for manipulating content displayed on the display screenresponsive to user input via the first, second, third, and planar inputdevices.
 2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the planar inputdevice covers substantially the same amount of space on the back face asthe display screen covers on the front face of the portable device. 3.The portable device of claim 1, wherein the display screen coverssubstantially all of the front face of the device.
 4. The portabledevice of claim 1, wherein each of the linear input devices is locatedon the front face of the portable device.
 5. The portable device ofclaim 1, wherein each of the linear input devices is affixed on a sideface of the portable device.
 6. The portable device of claim 5, whereinthe first linear input device is affixed on a first side face of theportable device, the second linear input device is affixed on a secondside face of the portable device, and the third linear input device isaffixed on a third side face of the portable device.
 7. The portabledevice of claim 1, wherein each input device comprises a touch-sensitiveinput device.
 8. The portable device of claim 7, wherein one of thelinear input devices senses pressure exerted by a user for detectinginput.
 9. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the first and secondlinear input devices are substantially perpendicular to each other. 10.The portable device of claim 1, wherein the second and third linearinput devices are substantially perpendicular to each other.
 11. Theportable device of claim 1, wherein the control logic causes theportable device to identify a horizontal position on the display screenresponsive to input received through the first linear input device;wherein the control logic causes the portable device to identify avertical position on the display screen responsive to input receivedthrough the second linear input device; wherein the control logic causesthe portable device to enlarge and reduce an image displayed on thedisplay screen responsive to input received through the third linearinput device; and wherein the control logic causes the portable deviceto horizontally and vertically scroll the image on the display screenresponsive to input received through the planar input device.
 12. Theportable device of claim 11, wherein the horizontal position andvertical position are identified by a crosshair display element.
 13. Theportable device of claim 1, wherein the control logic causes theportable device to horizontally scroll an image displayed on the displayscreen responsive to input received through the first linear inputdevice; wherein the control logic causes the portable device tovertically scroll the image displayed on the display screen responsiveto input received through the second linear input device; wherein thecontrol logic causes the portable device to enlarge and reduce the imagedisplayed on the display screen responsive to input received through thethird linear input device; and wherein the control logic causes theportable device to identify a point on the display screen responsive toinput received through the planar input device.
 14. The portable deviceof claim 13, wherein the portable device identifies the point using acrosshair display element.
 15. The portable device of claim 1, furthercomprising a speaker that outputs sound through at least one holeextending through the back face and the planar input device.
 16. Theportable device of claim 15, wherein the planar input device is rigid sothat sound passing through the at least one hole does not alter a sizeof the at least one hole.
 17. The portable device of claim 15, whereineach hole in the planar input device is slightly larger than acorresponding hole in the back face.
 18. The portable device of claim 1,further comprising a microphone.
 19. The mobile device of claim 11,wherein the vertical position and the horizontal position identify aselected point on the display screen, and wherein the control logiccauses the portable device to detect the selected point as input. 20.The portable device of claim 19, wherein when the selected pointcorresponds to one of a plurality of selectable icons displayed on thedisplay screen, the received input comprises data associated with theone icon.
 21. The portable device of claim 20, wherein each iconrepresents an alphanumeric character, and the received input comprisesan alphanumeric character corresponding to the one icon.
 22. Theportable device of claim 1, wherein the control logic causes theportable device to display a selectable icon along an edge of thedisplay screen corresponding to a side of the display screen on which isaffixed a linear input device, and wherein when a user touches thelinear input device on the corresponding side at a positioncorresponding to the displayed selectable icon, data associated with theselectable icon input.
 23. The portable device of claim 1, comprising amobile telephone.
 24. The portable device of claim 19, wherein theportable device highlights one of a plurality of selectable iconsdisplayed on the display screen when the selected point corresponds tothe one selectable icon, and wherein the portable device receives inputcomprising data associated with the one selectable icon responsive toconfirmation input received via one of the linear input devices.
 25. Theportable device of claim 1, wherein the planar input device comprises anoptical sensor.
 26. The portable device of claim 11, wherein the firstlinear input device is affixed to the bottom side of the display screen,and the second linear input device is affixed to one of the right andleft sides of the display screen.
 27. The portable device of claim 1,further comprising a touch-sensitive planar input device used inconjunction with and extending beyond a displayable area of the displayscreen, and wherein at least one of the first, second, and third linearinput devices comprise a region of the touch-sensitive planar inputdevice extending beyond the displayable area of the display screen. 28.In an electronic handheld device, a method for selecting items on adisplay screen, comprising steps of: (i) detecting movement over a firsttouch-sensitive input sensor area other than an area through which thedisplay screen is visible; and (ii) responsive to step (i), moving adisplay element over corresponding content displayed on the displayscreen.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein in step (ii) the displayelement comprises crosshairs.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein instep (i) the first touch-sensitive input area comprises a first linearinput device for receiving horizontal input and a second linear inputdevice for receiving vertical input.
 31. The method of claim 28, whereinin step (i), the first touch-sensitive input area comprises a touchpad.32. The method of claim 28, further comprising steps of: (iii) detectingmovement over a second touch-sensitive input area other than an areathrough which the display screen is visible; and (iv) responsive to step(iii), altering a size of an image displayed on the display screen. 33.The method of claim 28, further comprising steps of: (iii) detectingmovement over a second touch-sensitive input area other than an areathrough which the display screen is visible; and (iv) responsive to step(iii), panning the content displayed on the display screen.
 34. Themethod of claim 33, wherein in step (iii), the second touch-sensitiveinput area comprises a touchpad.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein, instep (iii), the second touch-sensitive input area comprises a firstlinear touch-sensitive input device for receiving horizontal input and asecond linear touch-sensitive input device for receiving vertical input.36. The method of claim 28, further comprising the third (iii) step ofdetecting a display screen location identified by the display element.37. The method of claim 36, wherein step (iii) comprises detectingdisplay screen coordinates.
 38. The method of claim 36, furthercomprising the step of receiving input comprising data associated withthe corresponding content displayed at the detected display screenlocation.
 39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:(iv) highlighting the corresponding content; (v) detecting secondmovement over the first touch-sensitive input area; and (vi) responsiveto step (v), receiving second input comprising data associated with thecorresponding content.
 40. A portable electronic device, comprising: acasing; a speaker housed within the casing; a planar input devicecovering a first face of the casing, wherein the planar input devicecomprises at least one hole through which sound emitted from the speakerpasses.
 41. The portable device of claim 40, further comprising adisplay screen covering a second face of the casing.
 42. The portabledevice of claim 41, wherein the first face comprises a back of thecasing and the second face comprises a front of the casing.
 43. Aportable electronic device, comprising: a display screen on a front faceof the portable device, a first touch-sensitive linear input deviceaffixed along a first side of the display screen on the front face ofthe portable device; a second touch-sensitive linear input deviceaffixed along a second side of the display screen on the front face ofthe portable device; a third touch-sensitive linear input device affixedalong a third side of the display screen on the front face of theportable device; a planar touch-sensitive input device on a back face ofthe portable device, said planar input device covering substantially thesame amount of space as the display screen on the front face of theportable device; a speaker from which the output is directed through atleast one hole in the planar input device; control logic formanipulating content displayed on the display screen responsive to userinput via the first, second, third, and planar input devices, whereinthe control logic causes the portable device to identify a horizontalposition on the display screen responsive to input received through thefirst linear input device; wherein the control logic causes the portabledevice to identify a vertical position on the display screen responsiveto input received through the second linear input device; wherein thecontrol logic causes the portable device to zoom in and out of an imagedisplayed on the display screen responsive to input received through thethird linear input device; and wherein the control logic causes theportable device to horizontally and vertically scroll the imageresponsive to input received through the planar input device.
 44. Amethod for operating a portable device, comprising steps of: (i)altering a size of content displayed on a display screen responsive toinput received through a first linear input device; (ii) identifying ahorizontal position on the display screen responsive to input receivedthrough a second linear input device; (iii) identifying a verticalposition on the display screen responsive to input received through athird linear input device; and (iv) panning content on the displayscreen responsive to input received through a planar input device.
 45. Acomputer readable medium storing computer readable instructions forperforming a method for selecting items on a display screen, comprisingsteps of: (i) detecting movement over a first touch-sensitive inputsensor area other than an area through which the display screen isvisible; and (ii) responsive to step (i), moving a display element overcorresponding content displayed on the display screen.
 46. The computerreadable medium of claim 45, wherein in step (ii) the display elementcomprises crosshairs.
 47. The computer readable medium of claim 45,wherein in step (i) the first touch-sensitive input area comprises afirst linear input device for receiving horizontal input and a secondlinear input device for receiving vertical input.
 48. The computerreadable medium of claim 45, wherein in step (i), the firsttouch-sensitive input area comprises a touchpad.
 49. The computerreadable medium of claim 45, wherein the computer readable instructionsfurther comprise steps of: (iii) detecting movement over a secondtouch-sensitive input area other than an area through which the displayscreen is visible; and (iv) responsive to step (iii), altering a size ofan image displayed on the display screen.
 50. The computer readablemedium of claim 45, wherein the computer readable instructions furthercomprise steps of: (iii) detecting movement over a secondtouch-sensitive input area other than an area through which the displayscreen is visible; and (iv) responsive to step (iii), panning thecontent displayed on the display screen.
 51. The computer readablemedium of claim 50, wherein in step (iii), the second touch-sensitiveinput area comprises a touchpad.
 52. The computer readable medium ofclaim 50, wherein in step (iii), the second touch-sensitive input areacomprises a first linear touch-sensitive input device for receivinghorizontal input and a second linear touch-sensitive input device forreceiving vertical input.
 53. The computer readable medium of claim 45,further comprising the third (iii) step of detecting a display screenlocation identified by the display element.
 54. The computer readablemedium of claim 53, wherein step (iii) comprises detecting displayscreen coordinates.
 55. The computer readable medium of claim 53,further comprising the step of receiving input comprising dataassociated with the corresponding content displayed at the detecteddisplay screen location.
 56. The computer readable medium of claim 53,further comprising the steps of: (iv) highlighting the correspondingcontent; (v) detecting second movement over the first touch-sensitiveinput area; and (vi) responsive to step (v), receiving second inputcomprising data associated with the corresponding content.